The Annual Crime Report 2024, has revealed a decline of the crime rate by 4.1% across the country.
The report shows a decrease in reported cases from 228,074 in 2023 to 218,715 in 2024, reflecting progress in crime prevention and law enforcement efforts.
While launching the report at the Police Headquarters in Naguru a Kampala Suburb in Nakawa Division, the Police Chief Abas Byakagaba attributed the decline to improved policing strategies and public cooperation.
He expressed his gratitude to all Ugandans who lodged their complaints at various police stations in the year 2024.
“These reports enabled us to compile this Annual Crime Report and assess our progress in fulfilling our constitutional mandate,” he stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment to restructuring the force in line with President Yoweri Museveni’s directive to transition it from a city- and town-based force to a nationwide policing service.
He announced the Sub-County Policing Model, which will deploy 18 police officers in each sub-county to decentralize services, enhance crime prevention, and improve response times, stressing that the approach will bring the police closer to the people for a more effective service delivery to different communities.
In his remarks, he emphasized the need for professionalism, welfare improvements, and capacity-building for police personnel, to ensure their readiness to perform their duties effectively.
He commended the coordination between police and key institutions, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary, the Justice, Law, and Order Sector (JLOS), local councils, and security agencies such as the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), and Prisons Services among others.
However, the report indicates a 1.6% increase in economic and corruption-related crimes, with 13,132 cases recorded in 2024 compared to 12,924 in 2023.
Political and media-related offenses declined by 16%, with 105 cases reported in 2024, a positive trend as the country prepares for elections.
The report also revealed that out of every 100,000 people, 476 were victims of crime in 2024, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and community policing.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Tom Magambo said financial crimes require enhanced enforcement and preventive measures as they remain a challenge.
The report highlighted a 4% decrease in domestic violence cases, with 14,073 cases reported in 2024 compared to 14,681 in 2023. Similarly, sex-related crimes dropped by 2.8%, from 14,846 cases in 2023 to 14,425 in 2024.
Magambo said there is still need for continued efforts in victim support and legal enforcement to address gender-based violence.
The report further indicates that road crashes increased by 6.4% in 2024, with 25,107 crashes recorded.
It indicates a 19.2% decrease in common traffic offenses, with cases dropping from 528,825 in 2023 to 426,432 in 2024.
There was also an increase in fire incidents, particularly in residential buildings (300 cases) and makeshift structures (250 cases).
School fires rose by 9%, from 50 cases in 2023 to 55 in 2024.
The Kampala Metropolitan Region recorded the highest number of fire incidents, with 993 cases.
The fires were mainly attributed to electrical faults, negligence, and misuse of wax candles.
